Vale Allaam Ousman: A highly-Respected Journalist, And Boxing Champion & Official – By Lawrence Machado
I was shocked to hear that my good buddy and much-respected journalist and boxer, Allaam Ousman, had passed away a few days ago in Sri Lanka.
Allaam, whom I always called Boxer, you will be missed by everyone who knew you. Sri Lanka journalism and boxing has lost a true and passionate professional.
I am glad we had great times in Dubai and the UAE and always kept in touch from your early days at the Gulf Today in Sharjah till your last days. You stood out with your writing, page making and sub-editing skills in addition to your passion of guiding young boxers.
You never boasted about your amazing records like being a champion boxer and helping Royal College win the coveted Stubbs Shield. Mentoring was more important to you than mere financial rewards.
Humility was inbuilt in you and you handled your crosses and achievements with the same stoic attitude. You wrote eloquently and never with ego. As a boxing scribe, you were at another level, leaving mlost of us behind.
You threw yourself wholeheartedly into the noble art on your return to Sri Lanka, serving as a Senior Member and International Technical Officer of the Sri Lanka Boxing Refereeing and Judging Commission.
You also excelled in reporting on other sports, including cricket and rugby union, with your features and interviews always great to read.
I will always remember your shy and engaging smile and your respect for your peers. You never failed to make my wife and I smile or laugh when we all reported on so many sports events in the UAE.
As most sports journos do, we shared results and quotes, making sure our readers were always up to date.
You were always helpful, kind and generous. I know your colleagues too respected you and so did your many contacts.
It’s nearly a year since your dear brother Ikraam Ousman, another Royal College Stubbs Shield champion, passed away. Another brother Lt Hisaam Ousman preceeded you both, while serving his country.
I pray your beloved wife Jean, sibling Shameelah, your families and countless friends have the strength to cope with your loss, which leaves a massive gap in their lives.
May the turf lie gently on you, brother. Till we meet again.
